Camden leads the way on youth justice

6.50.36pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 8th Aug 2008

Chris Huhne MP (left) joined Eleanor Botwright, Director of Castlehaven Community Association, Keith Moffitt, Lib Dem Leader of Camden Council and Lib Dem community safety chief James King (right) to welcome the Liberal Democrat proposals to tackle youth crime

Local Camden councillors have welcomed the fresh approach to tackling youth crime and anti-social behaviour unveiled by the Liberal Democrats this week.

Chris Huhne MP, the Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, met young people engaged in positive activities at the Castlehaven Community Association in Camden Town.

Mr Huhne highlighted the Youth Inclusion Projects as an example of the sort of youth services that are needed across the UK to reduce the number of young people entering the criminal justice system. With council support, Castlehaven runs Youth Inclusion Projects for 8-16 year olds who are most at risk of offending and anti-social behaviour.

Cllr Janet Grauberg, Executive Member for Children said, "By working in close partnership, Camden Council and Castlehaven are helping deter young people from getting involved in crime. We are offering positive activities such as sports and making music, offering every young person the opportunity to succeed in Camden."

Cllr James King, Executive Member for Community Safety said, "In Camden, we intervene early and take action against anti-social behaviour. The Labour Government's policy of criminalising young people is a failure - we need a more positive, community-based approach to youth justice."

The Liberal Democrat's plans for stopping young people from committing crimes were outlined by Mr Huhne in the document "A Life Away From Crime - A New Approach to Youth Justice", published earlier this week.